Mizzou mourns loss of student killed in Megabus wreck on I-55

LITCHFIELD, Ill.—A 25-year-old passenger who died in the crash of a double-decker Megabus in Illinois was a native of India traveling to central Missouri.

Aditi R. Avhad was headed to Columbia, Mo., when the bus slammed into an interstate bridge support pillar Thursday near Litchfield. Dozens were sent to hospitals with injuries. It’s not clear how many remained hospitalized early Friday.

Illinois State Trooper Brad Lemarr said he didn’t know where Avhad was seated on the bus, which was traveling between Chicago and Kansas City.

Avhad’s parents were also on board the bus.

Ahavard, originally from Mumbai, India, was a University of Missouri graduate student in Columbia. According to the school, she was on track to complete her master’s degree in health administration in 2013.

“Members of the MU community are saddened today to learn of the death of one of our students,” said University of Missouri Chancellor Brady Deaton. “She was a stellar student who made great contributions to the knowledge-building mission of the university. All of our hearts are a little heavier today as we grieve this loss. We extend our heartfelt condolences to her parents.”

Avhad was also a part of MU’s Cultural Association of India. Members of the group were planning to hold a memorial service on campus for her Friday night.

“We have lost a wonderful, dear friend,” said Nikhil Tindal, president of the Cultural Association of India. “Aditi was a girl who was always smiling and brought so much joy to us all.”